6- "Feels like torture and pleasure, at the same time..."

I felt like I was totally blown away. What wrong did I do it felt like he had a wave of anger towards me.

"He was with mom when they had an accident, but he survived, and mom didn't ..."

I looked at Ryle at what he just told me.

"What do you mean?"

"He was a second-year college back then when it happened. There was a parents-meeting at school, and just like usual, mom was always the one attending for us. That time, mom and dad were arguing about something. Mom was driving the car while Zack was beside her hearing her exchanging yells with dad. It was too late when they realized there was a truck ahead of them. Mom tried her very best to avoid the accident, but she didn't succeed, so she, instead, used her remaining strength to cover Zack with her body and protect him."

The fact that Ryle was telling me all of these things astounded me. I felt terrible for them and terrible for Zack's loss in particular. He was there. He witnessed it firsthand. He saw his mom sacrifice herself to keep him safe. Finally, I was beginning to understand Zack's anger with his own father.

"He changed like that after what happened. He became distant, defiant, arrogant, and cruel. He blamed no one but dad for what happened. For him, if daddy hadn't argued with mommy over the phone back then, such a dreadful tragedy would not have occurred."

"So, that's the main reason why Zack has been cold with uncle Alanson?" I carefully asked since the topic was just so sensitive.

Ryle nodded. "Yes, Ryn. For him, it was dad's fault why we lost our mother. He was very close with the latter back then so when she left, it broke Zack's heart so much."

"How about you? Did you also hate uncle Alanson for what happened?"

"I wouldn't deny that I also get very hurt when mom passed away, Ryn. It was difficult to wake up in the morning knowing she wouldn't return. But I couldn't get angry at my father as Zack could and still does. I couldn't possibly despise my father completely. He was there for us when we were all in grief, and he never shied away from his role as a father even though mom was no longer with us."

Everything is finally clear to me. Because of what happened, Zack held a grudge against uncle Alanson. And now I couldn't blame him for being such a beast, but I couldn't also blame his father because I wasn't present in their life at the time and didn't see anything. I couldn't judge anyone at all.

Now that you know the background of Zack and his animosity, you may understand why he has been so distant from you, Ryn.

I gave him an assuring smile and a shake of my head, telling him that the truth I'd uncovered about Zack's painful past had helped me to fully understand him.

"I'm not mad at him at all, Ryle. Don't worry, I'll do my best to keep getting along with him and be his friend, just as I've found such easy friendship with you and Rhian."

He patted my hair. "Very good girl. By the way, you can call me 'bro' from now on because you're no longer different from us and we'll soon be a family after our parents marry. Let's be the best of stepsiblings, so call me 'bro.'"

I smiled and nodded. "Got it, bro."

Having a brother has brought me inexpressible happiness. Since I am an only child, God knows how much I have yearned for brothers and sisters. My prayers have apparently been answered in Ryle and Rhian, and maybe one day in Zack as well. I'll be hoping for the day when he'll let me call him 'bro.'

Ryle's phone inside the pocket of his shorts suddenly rings, and when I look at the screen, I could see in his eyes and face that he is taken aback when he sees who his caller is. I couldn't see it, and I have no plans to peek at the screen. That's his personal stuff, so I can't interfere.

"Uhm, Ryn, would you mind if I'll go back to the resthouse now?" he asked me.

"Sure, brother. No problem."

"How about you? Aren't you coming back with me? It's cold here, Irryn."

I slowly shook my head. "I'll be fine here, bro. I'll follow maybe minutes later on."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I know you're already tired so you'll need to rest." I glanced at the cellphone on his hand that's still ringing endlessly, couldn't help but laughed a bit. "Answer your phone. That's may be an important person and waiting for you to pick up."

He was still serious when he nodded. "Alright, but you promise me first that you'll also go back to the resthouse after a while, okay?"

"Yes, bro."

I kept an eye out as he made his way back to the resthouse. Once again, I returned to the seat and enjoyed the soothing rhythm of the waves.

The cold wind blew again and I embraced the coat I'm wearing. Somehow, it helps me feel warm against the cool night wind.

"So, it's Rylan, huh?"

I instinctively turned to that low but menacing voice that practically whispered next to my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

"Zack!"

He gripped my shoulder strongly, and I couldn't help but tremble from the electricity his touch caused. Weird. I felt hot because of his touch, yet my body was shivering like it was freezing due to the chilly breeze of air around us.

"Do you wish to join his group of comfort women here? And this is why you're aiming to seduce him, correct?"

"Zack, what are you talking about—"

I turned to look at him but he held my shoulders tighter enough to keep me still.

"Put an end to your efforts, I warn you. In the end, all you'll be able to do is swoon and cry over him because Rylan is a playboy who enjoys playing with hearts before breaking them."

His language makes me angry, especially when he uses it to describe his own brother. In my view, Ryle is not at all like that.

"He is nothing like that! I am certain he's not like that! Refrain from tarnishing his name to me!" I hissed at him but I sounded helpless at all.

"I'm not staining his image to you. I am simply speaking the truth," h e continued to murmur into my ear.

I could not understand why my eyes intuitively closed with the sensation his closeness to me brings to my whole body. I never felt like this before. I do not understand. It felt simultaneously like torture and pleasure, at the same time.

"I'm just giving you... a warning..."

"Why are you telling this to me? Don't you see that the words you used to smear Ryle's name also perfectly sum up your own attitude?" I had no idea where I got the guts to fight him in such a manner; it just came out of my mouth spontaneously.

The sound of his grin made me tremble even more.

"I'm telling you, you still have the time. Run, little girl."

He freed me and then left. My knees appeared to melt as I felt so weak. I wasn't sure what I was feeling. My heart raced like crazy!

Did he just say run? Why? To what end must I hurry? Who am I trying to get away from, and who seems to be chasing me like I'm in danger? I just don't get him at all!